Newcastle want Kenedy and Townsend, will sanction Ritchie exit to get them – report

Newcastle United want to sign Kenedy and Andros Townsend this summer and will sell Matt Ritchie if it allows them to successfully get both players, according to a report.

The Northern Echo state that the Magpies have had several discussions with Chelsea over signing Kenedy and that Rafa Benitez’s side have been given an indication that another deal for the Brazilian winger is possible.

The newspaper claim that the Magpies have had initial positive talks with Crystal Palace over signing Townsend but that the two clubs remain a significant distance apart when it comes to the player’s valuation.

It is believed a comprise figure of £22million could be possibly agreed to, despite the Magpies being reluctant to pay £18million, and that the club would look to fund the majority of the deal by selling Ritchie.

Football Insider verdict:

Kenedy and Townsend both arriving at St James Park will be the only way that letting Ritchie leave would be acceptable as the hard-working winger has not let the club down ever since joining. While the paper claims that Stoke City are willing to pay £15million for Ritchie, it seems unlikely that the right-sided midfielder would be willing to drop back down into the Championship. With the paper stating that his former side Bournemouth have expressed a strong interest in re-signing him then the Magpies have to hope that their Premier League rivals are willing to stump up £15million to get him. Ritchie will perhaps reluctantly pack his bags at the Magpies if he was least joining another Premier League side. However if the Townsend and Kenedy pursuits prove impossible to complete then the Magpies must hold onto Ritchie otherwise they would have weakened their first-team by sanctioning his exit. The 28-year-old was a standout performer for the club in his 2017/18 campaign with him making 38 appearances last season to help his side’s cause. With Kenedy and Townsend both having had successfully spells at the Magpies before, fans will no doubt be keen to see them return.